Group X solos: Starshot and Bakerman: The dreaded Teh.
Author's note: the song Waking up Next To You is copyright 1991 Mike Williams. I liked it enough to use it, and I hope he's not offended by this.
(Front cover. Starshot and Bakerman are fighting the demon Teh. Teh is a metallic silver bear-like creature with human hands on the ends of its arms. Starshot dodges its fists, while Bakerman strikes it from behind.)
Cap (N): The Coming of Teh!
(Page 1, panel 1. Prologue. In the bowls of Mephisto's hell, we see about 5 demons gathered. These demons are of various shapes, sizes, etc. Mephisto is sitting on his throne above them all. Blackheart stands next to Mephisto.)
Cap (N1): Prologue. In the bowels of hell, Mephisto is talking to his demons.
Cap (N2): They have a test from Mephisto.
Mephisto: So, each one of you wants to lead a squadron of demons. Well, I will have a test.
(Panel 2. Mephisto stands up.)
Mephisto: Each one of you will be assigned a soul. A very special soul. A soul which I want.
(Panel 3. Mephisto approaches a curtain.)
Mephisto: Your task will be to return this soul to me. The one who does this will lead a squad of demons in our eternal conflict.
(Panel 4. Mephisto reaches out, grabbing a hold of the curtain.)
Mephisto: Be warned, these souls are not easy to get...
(Page 2, panel 1. Splash page. Leave room for credits here. Mephisto pulls the curtain back to show a series of pillars. On each pillar is a plaque with the words "Reserved for the soul of" plus a name beneath them. Among the names are : Norrin Radd, Lilandra Nermani, Thor, Lecita Jones, David Turnhorn, Shevaun Haldane, Christopher Madhak, Sara O'Banion, Lehmat the Coati , and a few others that we cannot see.)
Mephisto: These souls are most prized by me. Get them for me.
(Page 3, panel 1. Group X headquarters, Fort Worth, Texas. Starshot and Bakerman are in the exercise room, working out. Both of them are in their uniforms. Starshot is sitting down, doing leg presses on the leg press machine. Bakerman is doing bench presses on a bench press machine.)
Cap (N): Group X headquarters, Fort Worth, Texas. Right now, The couple known as Starshot and Bakerman is working out on the weight machines.
(Panel 2. The two of them continue to work out.)
Bakerman: Ah, the dreaded boredom of working out.
Starshot: Well, just consider the alternative t'this, and then think it through.
(Panel 3. Bakerman sets the weights down, and sits up.)
SFX: Clank!
Bakerman: True... and I'm pretty sure that being overweight just doesn't sell comic books.
(Panel 4. Starshot stops her leg presses.)
SFX: Clank!
Starshot: And neither is breaking the fourth wall, love.
Bakerman: True.
(Page 4, panel 1. The two of them stand up, and approach each other.)
Bakerman: Then again, balance is the key. One must balance the quest for perfection with the mind, body, and spirit.
(Panel 2. The two of them put an arm around each other.)
Bakerman: You know, I don't know what I'd do without you, Sara.
Starshot: Let's go get cleaned up, love.
(Panel 3. Go outside the headquarters to see Teh and another demon there. The two of them look the place over. The other demon is a humanoid, hunched over, with one bulging eye and a narrow second eye. She has two large canine teeth projecting from her mouth. Both of them are dressed in a demonic fashion.)
Teh: There it is... the den where we will find our prey.
Demon: Ick. I can feel the goodness emanating from that place. It feels so... nice. I hate it.
(Panel 4. Teh and the demon approach the place.)
Teh: Then we should make it more to our liking.
Demon: It's going to take a lot of doing here....
(Page 5, panel 1. Starshot is dressed in a towel only, stepping out of the shower.)
Cap (S1): That was a nice workout.
Cap (S2): But now we have t'get ready for dinner.
(Panel 2. Starshot steps out of her bathroom to see Bakerman there. He is in his uniform. They are in her bedroom.)
Starshot (Not amused): What are ye doing here?
Bakerman: Ah, Sara. I couldn't help but notice that you're ready for me.
(Panel 3. Starshot, not amused, tries to push Bakerman out the door.)
Starshot: I don't know who ye are but I want ye out of here now.
Bakerman: Come on, Sara. I'm your lover.
(Panel 4. Bakerman removes the towel from Starshot, forcing her to be naked. We cannot see that, however.)
Starshot: (Aghast): What are ye doing? Give me back that towel now!
Bakerman: Whoa mama!
(Panel 5. Starshot grabs the towel away from Bakerman, then connects with a foot to his chest.)
Starshot: OUT NOW!
SFX: POW!
(Panel 6. Starshot forces Bakerman out the door and closes it.)
Cap (S1): That definitely was not Chris.
Cap (S2): Better get dressed and go fight that lad.
(Page 6, panel 1. About the same time, we see Bakerman putting on a nice pair of slacks. He is in his bedroom.)
Cap (B1): Nice workout.
Cap (B2): So what should Sara and I do tonight?
(Panel 2. Starshot enters, wearing a silky, sexy dress. Bakerman finishes putting his pants on.)
Starshot: Well love, you're looking very nice there.
Bakerman: Who are you?
(Panel 3. Starshot approaches Bakerman.)
Starshot: Oh, come on, love. Don't you recognize me?
Bakerman: Actually, I don't. Your energy is hideous at best.
(Panel 4. Starshot puts an arm around Bakerman.)
Starshot: Love, what has gotten inta ye? I cannae believe ye don't know me.
(Panel 5. In one move Bakerman dives away from Starshot, and shoots a light disk at her. Starshot dives to avoid being hit.)
Bakerman: You're not my lover. I know. This is some kind of sick version of Temptation Island, and I'm not standing for it.
(Page 7, panel 1. Bakerman hits Starshot with a light disk. This causes sparks to fly from Starshot, who stumbles.)
SFX: FZAP!
(Panel 2. Bakerman strikes the staggering Starshot with a diving kick.)
Bakerman: Computer, sound intruder alert!
SFX: POW!
(Panel 3. Starshot uneasily stands.)
Computer voice: Intruder alert! Intruder alert! Intruder in Bakerman's room!
Starshot: So you see through my disguise.... well, your soul will still be mine!
(Panel 4. Starshot starts morphing. In panel 5, she has transformed into the female demon seen earlier.)
Demon: You will die!!
(Page 8, panel 1. Starshot, now in a fresh uniform, readies herself for a fight. She has her laser pistol drawn and knife ready.)
Cap (S): All right, laddie, I'm ready for ye now.
(Panel 2. Starshot opens the door to see nothing there. Nervous, she steps out.)
Cap (S): He's got t'be here somewhere...
(Panel 3. Starshot dives to narrowly avoid being hit with the demon Bakerman was fighting.)
SFX: Whack!
Starshot: Whoa!
(Panel 4. Bakerman enters, and looks the scene over.)
Bakerman: Starshot!
Starshot: Bakerman!
(Panel 5. Starshot and Bakerman approach each other.)
Starshot: It really is you, right?
Bakerman: Yes. Feel the energy; that cannot be masked.
(Panel 6. Starshot and Bakerman hold hands while the female demon rises up.)
Starshot: Love, I think we got bigger problems right now...
(Page 9, panel 1. The demon lashes out at our heroes, who narrowly avoid being hit. The demon manages to cut some of Starshot's red hair from her head.)
Starshot: Ah!
Demon: Die!
(Panel 2. Bakerman hits the demon with a light disk, causing it to throw sparks.)
SFX: FZAPT!
Demon: AH!
(Panel 3. Teh enters, in its normal form.)
Teh: So, you seek solace in each other, hm? Such a pity that won't help you here!
(Panel 4. Starshot and Bakerman dive to avoid being hit by Teh and the female demon.)
Starshot: Options?
Bakerman: Mediation room!
(Page 10, panel 1. The two of them rush off hand in hand together.)
Teh: HAHAHAHAHA! Flee while you can! You cannot escape us!
(Panel 2. Starshot and Bakerman bound up the stairs together.)
Bakerman: Halfway there!
Starshot: We can make it!
(Panel 3. They arrive at the top of the stairs to see Teh there.)
Teh: Not so fast... now, you are trapped like rats.
(Panel 4. Teh and the demon advance on Starshot and Bakerman.)
Teh: Ah, the anger grows within you. That is good. Soon, your soul will belong to Mephisto.
Bakerman: We still have a few tricks up our sleeves.
(Panel 5. Bakerman hits Teh with a light disk as Starshot shoots her laser at the female demon. Teh throws sparks from his body.)
SFX: FZAP!
(Panel 6. Starshot and Bakerman knock Teh down, and rush past him.)
Teh: Cowards! Come back here!
(Page 11, panel 1. The two of them reach the meditation room, and enter it.)
Bakerman: Find the still point within you.
(Panel 2. The two of them sit down as Teh and the other demon arrive just outside the room.)
Teh: UH! This positive energy is hideous!
Demon: We must be strong, Teh... if we're going to capture those souls... We have to do Mephisto's will.
(Panel 3. Teh and the demon shoot blasts of energy into the room. The blasts get noticeably weaker once they enter the room, and stop short of Starshot and Bakerman. Meanwhile, Starshot and Bakerman have assumed a meditative position while sitting opposite each other.)
Starshot: Concentrate...
Bakerman: Let the power of the Divine One enter...
(Panel 4. Teh and the demon enter the room, nervously shaking.)
Teh: All this good energy... it's making me sick!
Demon: They are within our grasp...
(Page 12, panel 1. Teh tries to slash Bakerman, but finds he cannot. His clawed hand bounces off Bakerman.)
Teh: Die!
(Panel 2. The demon strikes Starshot, not affecting her either.)
Demon: You will succumb to us!
(Panel 3. Teh tries to pick up Bakerman, but finds he cannot move Bakerman.)
Teh: I'll take you down to the deepest bowels of Hell and leave you there forever! Huh?
(Panel 4. Teh and the other Demon try to lift Bakerman, but find they cannot.)
Teh: Help me out here!
Demon: He won't move!
(Panel 5. The two demons collapse, exhausted.)
Teh: We've got to go back to hell and recharge. This place's energy is just too much.
Demon: We will return...
(Page 13, panel 1. Hell. Teh and the other demon teleport in. They arrive at the throne room of Mephisto.)
Mephisto: So, have you brought the souls I have asked for?
Teh: This is a fool's errand, Mephisto! Those two are under the protection of the Divine One – and I'm willing to bet that the other ones are as well!
(Panel 2. Mephisto smiles.)
Mephisto: Nice of you to catch on quickly. Unfortunately, my demand still stands. So get back there and get those souls!
Demon: They are in a place of peace. You knew that in advance we would fail!
(Panel 3. Mephisto waves his hands, and then Teh and the demon disappear.)
Mephisto: Silence! You've only failed when you've given up. Get back there and get those souls!
(Panel 4. Mephisto turns back to a black sphere.)
Cap (M1): Ungrateful curs.
Cap (M2): Now we shall see what these minions of mine are really made of.
(Page 14, panel 1. Teh and the other demon appear back outside the meditation room.)
Demon: So what do we do now? Mephisto won't take us back without those souls...
Teh: As crazy as it sounds, we have to try again. Then again, once we admit defeat, then we are defeated...
(Panel 2. The demons approach Starshot.)
Teh: We failed on him – let's try her now.
(Panel 3. Teh and the other demon strike Starshot, not hurting her. In panel 4. They try to pick her up, again without success.)
Teh: Pull!
Demon: I am pulling!
(Panel 4. Starshot reaches down, and touches the ground.)
Teh: (Disgusted): Bah! I'll get you yet!
(Page 15, panel 1. Teh and the Demon strike both Starshot and Bakerman, still not hurting them. Bakerman too touches the ground.)
Teh: There has got to be a way to hurt you!
(Panel 2. Bakerman and Starshot open their eyes.)
Bakerman: You cannot hurt us, as long as we do not permit you to hurt us.
Teh: There has to be a way!
(Panel 3. The two of them stand up.)
Bakerman: Once connected to the source, the only ones who can terminate that connection are ourselves.
Starshot: This place has been set aside as a sanctuary from malevolent influences. Even as we speak both of you are being infused with positive energies. If you do not leave, the energies will overtake you.
(Panel 4. Teh grits his teeth.)
Teh: Love! Acceptance! Bah! Mephisto will win in the end!
Bakerman: He's been promising that for several millennia now. So far, he hasn't been successful.
(Page 16, panel 1. Starshot and Bakerman hold hands.)
Bakerman: The Divine One chooses its field commanders very carefully, Teh. Second in line does not mean second rate. You go back to your master Mephisto and suffer the consequences of your failure.
(Panel 2. Teh and the female demon stare daggers at Bakerman and Starshot.)
Teh: I will depart... but I assure you, when you least expect it... I will return.
(Panel 3. Teh and the female demon disappear in a puff of brimstone.)
Starshot: It's good t'have ye back, love.
Bakerman: Same here, Sara.
(Panel 4. The two of them hold each other close, embracing.)
Bakerman: You know, I never want to let you go, ever again.
Starshot: Same here, love.
(Page 17, panel 1. Epilogue. Starshot is sleeping in her bed, under the sheets. She is wearing a mudpack on her face, and a nightgown.)
Cap (N1): Epilogue.
Cap (N2): Teh is back in hell, now cleaning the palace of Mephisto.
Cap (N3): Then again, every other demon failed in their tasks as well.
Cap (N4): Bakerman has a proposal for Starshot...
(Panel 2. Bakerman enters, with a simple breakfast of coffee, a bakery roll, orange juice, and a banana on a tray.)
Bakerman: Sara, time go get up.
Starshot: Uh...
(Panel 3. Starshot wakes up, bleary eyed and disoriented.)
Starshot: I donnae do mornings...
Bakerman: Neither do I, darling. That's what makes us who we are.
(Panel 4. Starshot sits up, keeping the sheets over her. Bakerman approaches her with the tray.)
Bakerman: Anway, I've made you some breakfast.
Starshot: Aw....
(Panel 5. Bakerman sets the tray over Starshot, who smiles.)
Starshot: I know that look, love. Ye want something from me.
Bakerman: I never could keep a secret from you, Sara.
(Page 18, panel 1.)
Bakerman: (1) I hope to say it all in a song, Sara.
Bakerman: (2) Computer, activate song file waking.
(Panel 2. Bakerman starts to sing.)
Bakerman: (sings) This morning I studied your face on the pillow, and the soft sleepy curl of your hand. / Daylight came dancing, lighter than feathers, through feelings I'm not sure if I understand, / And it came to me quick, like thunder and lightning, it came to me peaceful and true. / That I hope to be spending the rest of my mornings, waking up next to you.
(Panel 3. Bakerman continues to sing.)
Bakerman: (singing) There's a bird at the window, he's singing his heart out, I know just how that bird feels. / There's a ship on the ocean, riding the tide, with a cargo of love from its mast to its keel. / In the still of the dawn I am swept with these feelings, with no one to tell them to/ Then you open your eyes and a new day's a-dawning, waking up next to you.
(Panel 4. Bakerman finishes his song.)
Bakerman: (sings) All of my life I've been running in circles, chasing that old brass ring. / I wouldn't know what to do if I caught it, it's not half as fine as the smile that you bring. / Or the touch in the night of a friend and a lover, a dream on a star or two/ Or the way that I feel first thing in the morning, waking up next to you.
(Page 19, panel 1. He gets next to her.)
Bakerman: We've been dating for quite awhile now, and I was hoping... we could live together.
Starshot: Cohabitate, hm? Well, ye got t'promise t'keep the room a lot cleaner than yer room is now, love.
(Panel 2. Bakerman puts an arm around Starshot.)
Bakerman: I promise, Sara.
Starshot: Alright then, if ye can take me looking like this in the morning, then I guess I can put up with ye next t'me in bed.
(Panel 3. Starshot returns Bakerman's arm as Bakerman sits next to Starshot.)
Bakerman: You've made me very happy, Sara. I can't begin to describe how wonderful it feels to be near you.
(Panel 4. The two of them kiss.)
--End--